1906
Thank you for visiting Sedona Legend-
The Jack and Helen Frye Story!
Copyright © 2003
Sedona Legend Helen Frye Website
Created By R. D. Reynolds
All Rights Reserved
Sedona's Celebrity Love Story!
This is the official not to mention only web portal in the world
dedicated exclusively to the legacy of Jack and Helen Frye!
The Frye Legacy-
a Lifetime of Accomplishment!
By Randall Reynolds
The Sedona Legend Web Site is a historical narrative enhanced with photos presented for
educational and entertainment purposes. Some materials may be displayed in regard to the
United States Fair Use Act. This web portal is totally non-profit and generates no income, nor
does it seek or has it ever accepted a single donation. It is an independent venture.
While this web site is not "officially" affiliated with Red Rock State Park in any way, it was
envisioned and created to give park visitors a more indepth historical perspective in regard to
the former 700 acre Frye Ranch property.
Sedona Legend is encouraged and supported by the Jack Frye Family, to include Jack's
daughter, Nevajac Frye, Jack's late sister, "Sunny" Frye Thomas, the Helen Frye family,
and the many friends of Jack and Helen Frye.
November 29, 1906
Wheeler County, TX.
November 4, 1942
Dallas, Texas
Known as Don or
Donald Frye-
Jack Frye's brother
Frye Aircraft
Company
Donald Frye, founder and director of the copyrighted system of schools which bear his name is a
pioneer in the aviation industry. At the age of 10, he was building model airplanes with his
brother Jack Frye, who is now head of T.W.A. Airlines. When 24, (1930) Donald Frye had
already served 2 years in the U.S. Air Corps and was engaged as a flying instructor for the
Guatemala Air Service. Later, in California, he worked in almost every department of the
Douglas Aircraft Company. Leaving Douglas, he became personnel manager for Consolidated
Aircraft Company. While serving in this capacity for five years, he became aware of the critical
shortage of trained aircraft workers. Knowing the needs and requirements of the aircraft
manufacturers, Donald Frye organized the Frye Aircraft Company with the sincere purpose of
helping American men and women get basic training in aircraft production.
Press Release
This website has led me down many paths and to the doors of many remarkable people. When I
decided to start a remembrance for Jack and Helen Frye and their association with Sedona,
Arizona, I never dreamed it would lead in so many directions. I came to know Jack's sister,
Ople, who I found to be a rich source of information and her daughter, Pat. Through Ople, I
came to realize that Jack had a beloved younger brother who not only helped him get started in
the aviation business which led to his founding TWA, and building it into a World-Wide-Airline,
but as well, this brother, also had a remarkable career in aviation himself. His name? Patrick
Mc Donald Frye. He grew up with Jack in Texas, on the family cattle ranch near Wheeler. He
and Jack both joined the Army, a path that later led them to California. Don was not only one
of the original investors in Aero Corporation which Jack Frye founded but worked for the
company for a time as well. Born November 29, 1906, Don was Jack's "younger" brother. For a
time he lived with Jack and his first wife, Debbie Greer in 1920's Los Angeles.
At left Don Frye at an early Burdett Air Show (1924) and to the right his business card early in
his career when he worked for his brother Jack Frye who owned Burdett Airport at the time.
A rare early photo of Jack Frye with arm around his beloved brother Don in about 1924 at
Burdett Airport, Los Angeles. Both were immersed in the infancy of United States aviation,
each forging noteworthy paths. Don, like Jack, was a crack aircraft mechanic and was trained
by friend Walt Hamilton who included Don on air show trips which also included Paul Richter.
Patrick Donald Frye was born in Wheeler Texas, November 1906, of English and Irish
ancestors. Experience in aviation since 1922, includes mechanic, pilot, purchasing agent,
toolmaker, Jr. Tool Designer and Inspector. Don Frye (1920-1921) broke into aviation at the
age of 15, becoming, so far as it is known, the world's youngest pilot at the time! He took a job
as a dishwasher to get started and became a flying member of the famed Holmoky Flying
Circus, stunting clipped winged Spads and Newports. Donald Frye worked with Aero Corporation
of California, Standard Air Lines, Western Air, the United States Army, Guatemala Air
Service, and Douglas Aircraft. Mr. Frye joined Consolidated Aircraft Company as an assistant
in 1935, and soon became director, a position he currently holds. Having worked in many phases
of the aircraft industry and observed it from all angles, Frye knows the viewpoint of the man
seeking work for the first time. Consolidated has many of the finest aircraft craftsmen in the
world. We consider ourselves privileged to be associated with, and hire trained students from
the Frye Aircraft Company!
Consolidated Aircraft 1941- Profile- Don Frye
For further information on the Frye Aircraft Company as written by
Don Frye, please click here to read the PDF File.
The Frye family name stands tall and solid. A beacon in the development of the largest most
advanced air transportation network in the world (TWA). And a nationwide school to train men
and women to work in the aircraft industry and the war effort. An amazing legacy of dedication
and leadership!
To the left Frye Aircraft
Company at Dallas and Omaha.
Frye Aircraft Company
Denver and St Louis
April 7, 1941 Douglas Aircraft Company
Inc..... Permit me to say a few words in
behalf of the Frye Schools. For several years,
I have personally known Jack and Don Frye,
and I am happy to say that both are fine
gentlemen and are doing a splendid job in
organizing schools and training personnel for
the aircraft industry..... (Click to the left)
My Brother Don- By "Sunny" Frye Thomas
Patrick Mc Donald Frye- my brother called Don was born November 29 1906, Wheeler County,
Texas. Died, November 4, 1942, in Dallas, Texas. He was married to Marguerite Wilkinson and
attended Rock School, Wheeler Jr. High, and Clarendon High School. Don was at 16, one of the
youngest pilots in the nation. He held a transport pilots license, barnstormed all over the
country, was a stunt flyer and owned a flying circus. At 24, Don served 2 years in the Army Air
Corps and was an instructor for Guatemala Air Service. Donald Frye was at one time the
Personnel Director, and served in other capacities, for Douglas Aircraft Industries, before
becoming Personnel Director for Consolidated Aircraft Corporation. Don realized the critical
lack of trained aircraft workers, so he organized and became President of "Frye Aircraft
Company- a Copyrighted System of Schools for Basic Training in Aircraft Production." The first
facility was located in Kansas City, with others in Omaha, Denver, St. Louis, Dallas, Long
Beach, and Salt Lake City. Don's career, of such promise, was ended tragically in a Dallas
Hotel, November 4, 1942. He was buried in Wheeler, our dear friend and school principle, Judge
R. H. Forrester was the speaker. Don was quiet, sensitive, very bright- a good artist and writer,
with an analytical mind. His death- a very useless and sad loss!      -Sunny
Sadly, Sunny Frye Thomas, reigning matriarch of the Frye family, has passed away. This
remarkable woman was the very last of Jack Frye's childhood family, a lady who truly knew
Jack and Don their entire lives. I am saddened by her death and honored to have been her
friend- I adored her as did everyone else in the Frye family. Sunny was a rich wealth of
information in regard to the Frye Legacy and a staunch advocate of my work! Bless you Sunny-
you are missed! For more information in regard to Sunny and her daughter Pat, see Page 1909.
Frye Brothers- Standing Tall
At The Dawn of Aviation
It has never been clear to me exactly how
Frye Aircraft Company was set up but I
think Jack Frye was involved behind the
scenes. Also TWA along with all the major
airlines and aircraft companies of the day
were customers, as well as participants;
instruction, etc. The school was launched
pre-Pearl Harbor, so it was not just another
war endeavor. After Don's death, it is not
known what the fate of the organization was
but likely it was phased out after the war.   
Frye Aircraft Co. First Facility- Kansas City
October 2007- Update